Page 79 of One Little Kiss

She shakes her head, and I smile.

“What? I’m sorry.”

“I’ll be home in less than four hours. I’m going to fix this, but now more than ever, I need you to trust me, okay?”

“I do, Colton. I trust you. I’ll stumble sometimes, but I do trust you.”

Pride swells in my chest. There’s strength behind her words and I know she means them.

“I just … I’m not used to feeling so weak, so inept. I’ve always been the fixer.”

Watching her expression change, I see how hard that was for her to admit.

“Having your trust is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard, Win. You make me the happiest man on earth, but you’re far from inept or weak. I’m not trying to fix you, CC. Just your situation. You’re perfect in every way, and I have no doubt you would do all of this on your own if you had to. I’m just speeding things up because I can, and I want to. Try to change your mindset here, sweetheart, because I’ve never met a stronger, more courageous woman in all my life.” I study her face, letting my words sink in. She’s so beautiful it hurts not to be near her. “Let our family take care of you until I get home, but don’t let them boss you around. They mean well, but they can be a lot.”

The worry eases around her gray eyes, and laughter slips from her beautiful lips. “I’ve never met a family quite like yours, Colton.”

“Ours, baby. Our family. I’ll be home soon,” I promise. If I can’t get this damn plane in the air in the next five minutes, I’ll tear this place apart.

“Okay.” The bravado she had before is gone, and I see her trying to stay in her safe zone.

“Deep breaths. In and out. They all love you as much as I do. I’ll be home soon.”

Her eyes go wide. I know what I just said, and by her expression, she does, too. However, the first time I tell her I love her will not be over FaceTime.

“Ah, I should go check on Wes,” she says shakily.

I agree so I don’t slip and say what I really want to say. “I’ll be home soon.”

When the screen goes black, I lean back in my seat. Winnie Darling is about to become mine for real.

* * *

My flight was uneventful, but there was no way I could sit in a car for two hours to get home from the airport in Burlington. I feel weary as the helicopter lands next to Ashton’s house in the open field. I have a plan in place.Will Winnie go for it?I’ve never felt more nervous or more sure of anything in my life. I’m not about to back down from a fight now, so with shaking legs, I jump out of the back and jog to a waiting Ash.

“She’s okay,” he croaks. “Scared, but okay.”

I wrap him in a hug. He hands me the keys to a four-wheeler when he pushes me off him. Our homes are not that far apart, but he knows I’ll want the quickest way down the mountain to where Winnie waits in our home.

“Thanks, Ash. Is everyone still there?”

“Rylan and Pres, I think. He sent everyone else home about an hour ago.”

I nod, and throw my leg over the four wheeler. Turning the key, I rev the engine, then take off as fast as I can get it to go. Minutes later, I spin into the driveway with pebbles shooting out from the back tires and run to the front door.

The house is quiet except for a song I could sing in my sleep. The theme song for Weston’s favorite train filters through the house, and I find them all on the sofa.

Sensing me, Winnie glances over her shoulder, and I rush to her side.

Weston squeals with delight, and I scoop him up off the sofa. “Dada,” he yells happily, and we all freeze as tears well in my eyes and I have no desire to stop them.

“Me?” I choke out.

“Dada,” he sings again, and rubs his nose on my chest.

My worried gaze darts to Winnie, who’s as shocked as I am.

“What do I do?” I whisper yell.